Argentine governor drops in
Bienvenido: Tohu Wines hosted Argentine regional governor Fabiana Rios at its Awatere Valley vineyard last week.
An Argentine regional governor choppered into the Awatere Valley to get a taste of Marlborough wine.
Fabiana Rios is head of Tierra del Fuego – the southern-most tip of Argentina – and the Argentine province in Antarctica.
Ms Rios, the only female governor in Argentina, visited New Zealand for five days last week to improve ties with Kiwi business and government leaders. The governor also spent time at Victoria University's school of government in Wellington and visited Sealord's factory in Nelson.
Sealord has an operation in Tierra del Fuego and Argentina recently adopted a quota management of its fisheries based on the New Zealand model.
Ms Rios and her retinue, along with a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade official and Sealord international fishing general manager Ross Tocker, then flew by helicopter over the Whangamoa Saddle to lunch outside at Tohu Wines' vineyard, overlooking the Awatere River with a great view of Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku in the distance.
They were treated to a three-course meal and a winetasting with Tohu Wines winemaker Bruce Taylor.
Ms Rios said it was interesting to see how New Zealand practised good governance.
"In Argentina we try to look after our democracy and we appreciate it every day."
There could be more co-operation between the two countries with similar industries such as farming, fishing and aquaculture techniques in the future, she said.